98 PAETRIDGES. 



it differs somewhat in its habits and haunts. It ranges all over North 

 China, across i\longolia into Siberia. 



This bird inhabits all kinds of country. Coveys may be flushed 

 in the thick patelies of sage brush on the open plains or away up on 

 the long, grassy slopes of the highest mountains up to an altitude of 

 9,000 or 10,000 feet. Unhke the chukar, it is perfectly silent, and, 

 at the first sign of danger, crouches down and lies very close. I have 

 sat for an hour witliin a few feet of a covey of these birds, which only 

 broke cover wlien I rose abruptly to go. Perdix sifaniciis inhabits 

 Southern Kansu. 



In South China the partridge is replaced by the francolin, (Franco- 

 linuH cliinensis) a bird included in the same sub-family, but differing 

 from tlie true partridges in liaving one or more pairs of well developed 

 spurs. 



The red-legged partridges or cbukars, wliicli form the genus 

 Caccabis, differ very markedly from the members of the genus Fcidix. 

 They are larger, and more strikingly coloured, and have very different 

 habits. They are mainly characterized by their conspicuous trans- 

 versely barred sides, a cream patch on the throat, edged with black, 

 and their red legs and beaks. The rest of their plumage is of a mauve- 

 grey, shading into light blue-grey on the breast, and buff under tlie 

 tails. The tail feathers, which number fourteen are of a bright brick- 

 red colour. 



There are several species in this genus. The representative 

 in Great Britain is known as the French partridge (Caccabis riifa), while 

 the form common to China is the chukar (Caccabis cJinhar), which 

 ranges from tlie Grecian Islands right across Asia into North-eastern 

 China. 



The chukar is essentially a bird of wild, rocky districts, though in 

 Shansi, Shensi and Kansu it also makes its home in the loess hills, 

 frequenting tlie deep ravines and gidlies. From September till March 

 it may be found in great coveys, sometimes containing as many as 

 forty birds. Though, owing to its protective colouring, it is extremely 

 difficult to detect in its natural surroundings, the chukar has a foohsh 

 habit of cackling, thus betraying its whereabouts to the hunter. In 

 districts where it is plentiful its aggressive cackle may be heard on all 

 sides, when a careful survey will usually reveal several rival cock birds 

 perched upon prominent rocks and spurs, giving full vent to their feel- 

 ings over the jiresence of an intruder. This characteristic call may be 

 rendered by the three syllables "Gua J;c he" repeated rapidly five or 

 six times. 



